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Sustainability & innovation drive Functional Fabric Fair New York

30 Jul '25
5 min read
Sustainability & innovation drive Functional Fabric Fair New York
Pic: Functional Fabric Fair

Insights

  • Functional Fabric Fair New York (July 2025) drew 2,100+ attendees and 150+ exhibitors, spotlighting innovation and sustainability.
  • Highlights included DAY 0 Sustainability Workshop and the Future Fabrics Expo Innovation Hub.
  • Momentum builds for PERFORMANCE DAYS Munich (Oct 2025), featuring new themes like textile recycling, footwear, colour trends, and DAY 0 #2 on waste.

With around 2,100 industry professionals and more than 150 carefully selected exhibitors, the Functional Fabric Fair New York, powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS, once again underscored the central role of innovation and sustainability in the performance and fashion sectors. Held on July 22–23, 2025, the event marked another milestone for the U.S. fair format. A standout highlight was the debut of the DAY 0 Sustainability Workshop, which brought together over 150 participants for in-depth discussions on future-oriented topics such as material innovation, circular supply chains, and climate-conscious sourcing.

Strong momentum for the New York show: innovation meets responsibility

“We’re at a critical turning point for sustainability in our industry, and the conversations that happened on Day 0 are shaping how we move forward. Functional Fabric Fair powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS is proud to be driving these efforts with meaningful programming, expert education, and opportunities to build real solutions,” said Steve McCullough, Event Vice President, reflecting on the event’s success.

The two-day fair featured a dynamic lineup of Expert Talks covering industry trends, sourcing strategies, and material innovation. The message was clear: circularity, eco-design, and functional innovation are no longer niche topics — they are key business drivers for global brands.

For the first time, the Future Fabrics Expo Innovation Hub was presented in New York, showcasing 33 pioneering materials — including biotextiles made from plants grown in restored wetlands, enzymatic recycling technologies, and natural dyes developed using living organisms. The collaboration between Future Fabrics Expo and PERFORMANCE DAYS highlights the crucial role of innovation as a catalyst for greater sustainability in the textile industry. The partnership will continue at the upcoming PERFORMANCE DAYS show in Munich this October. “We’re excited about this collaboration and the opportunities it opens up,” said Nina Marenzi, Founder and CEO of The Sustainable Angle and the Future Fabrics Expo. “It gives the Future Fabrics Expo space to grow and enables us to present the curated Innovation Hub not only in New York but also in Munich, Portland, and Shanghai. The future lies in nature-positive, decarbonized supply chains — and innovation is what gets us there.”

PERFORMANCE DAYS Munich already fully booked: top exhibitors & new formats

The momentum from New York carries over to PERFORMANCE DAYS Munich on October 29–30, 2025, which is already fully booked. The show will feature a host of new special areas, forward-thinking formats, and relevant industry topics. The new Focus Topic titled “Textile to Textile – the role of recyclers” will be at the heart of the Trend Forum, showcasing cutting-edge materials and innovations that support closed-loop solutions.

Renowned experts will take the stage during the Expert Talks to dive deep into the topic, offering new perspectives, sparking debate, and driving real-world impact. Another key highlight this fall: an expanded Footwear Area with its own dedicated workshop program and networking opportunities. New: The Creative Area, curated by color expert Nora Kühner. Making its debut in Munich, the area offers a visionary perspective on color, materials, and social trends. This new space brings the show’s key themes to life through immersive showcases — including curated exhibits by BEAMS Tokyo (historic down jackets) and the Utah State University (visual installations and textile-related publications).

In addition to the approximately 486 exhibitors, visitors can explore popular areas such as the Circularity Zone, Sustainability Lounge, Tech Hub, Bodywear Area, Wool Forum, Innovation Area, the Italian Bar, and the Media Lounge — all contributing to a rich and inspiring trade show experience.

DAY 0 #2: Rethinking waste — from problem to potential

On October 28, 2025, one day before the show officially opens, DAY 0 returns with its second edition. Under the theme “In nature, there is no waste”, this exclusive conference sets the tone for PERFORMANCE DAYS. Designed for professionals in ESG, sustainability, and design, DAY 0 provides a protected space for honest dialogue and actionable insights. Led by industry veteran Bowie Miles and long-time PERFORMANCE DAYS expert Charles Ross, the interactive workshop format encourages participants to rethink the concept of waste — and take tangible steps to prevent it before it occurs. The goal: to reshape value creation in the textile industry based on the principles of natural circular systems.

The next opportunity for international exchange will take place soon: Functional Textiles Shanghai by PERFORMANCE DAYS on August 6–7, 2025, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center – right in the heart of the Asian market.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)

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